Deborah Washington Brown

"My application to the Mandela Washington Fellowship was driven by my quest for an experiential learning program that would improve my capacity in providing educational services and opportunities to children with disabilities and adolescent girls."

"During the six weeks academic residency, I and 24 other Young Africans from 21 different countries were hosted by one of the top universities in the United States; Drexel University, located at the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania."

"Amongst us were persons with disabilities as well as persons with different personalities and sexual orientations. We all learned together and enjoyed equal opportunities in a fully inclusive environment that made learning interesting for all."

"I had the opportunity to visit schools for the deaf, libraries for the blind, and art therapy centers. These visits afforded me a firsthand appreciation of how serious the inclusion of persons with disabilities mattered to the American people."

"My favorite academic experience occurred during our personality and leadership assessment session. As a Choleric with keen attention to details and work performance, I have thought to myself a few times that I was excessive, but learning about my strengths and confirming its significance to my work was empowering. I am now deliberate about my choice of support teammates."